The oil industry has seen more fatalities from explosions than any other private industry, according to an Environment & Energy Daily article on WyoFile.
More than 10 percent of all job-related fatalities can be directly attributed to oil industry explosions and fires – despite the fact the oil industry only employs approximately one percent of the workforce here in the United States.
Explosion Dangers and Risks
In one oil industry accident, a worker was killed as he attempted to defrost on the back of his truck a valve that had frozen overnight. The technique the worker used is not uncommon in the industry. However, this time it unfortunately resulted in an explosion that launched him 75 feet over a 7-foot-tall barbed wire fence.
As the oil industry continues to expand into more heavily populated areas, residents living in these areas are being put at risk. In 2012, an oil well explosion resulted in an oil storage tank being launched 250 feet away and a young worker being killed. Many others in the surrounding community were thankfully spared as neither the explosion nor the tank affected the local neighborhood that borders the oil well site. Despite the dangers, a new well was drilled a few weeks later in the same area.
In many states, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) allows wells to be drilled between 100 to 500 feet from homes. An investigation conducted by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) found that the zoning requirements were extremely lenient. It also found that at least 44 members of the public have been killed, and other 25 injured, in oil or gas site fires and explosions since 1983. A number of these were teenagers and young adults simply looking for a place to “hang out.”
While it is true that many actions have been taken over the years to improve safety at oil drilling sites, dangerous habits and processes continue to be used by oil extraction companies. Common factors contributing to explosions in the oil industry include:
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- Equipment failure
- Lack of proper training
- Employee or employer negligence
- Fires
- Inadequate maintenance
- Failure to follow safety procedures
- Blowouts
- Unreasonable deadlines
- Chemical leaks
In an oil industry explosion, who is liable?
Liability in these types of accidents varies significantly from case to case. Depending on the circumstances leading up to the explosion, many parties are potentially liable for any injuries or wrongful death. In cases where an explosion can be traced back to a faulty rig or improper rig installation, rig manufacturers could be held liable. Drillers who fail to follow proper safety procedures, or who attempt to use shortcuts in an effort to increase profitability, may find themselves facing costly insurance claims or lawsuits.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
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